I’m so afraid that others will see the broken mess inside of me. The hurt. The pain. The depression. The shame. Why do you care and know me by name?

I understand in my head that you love me but it’s hard to fully comprehend what that means.

I don’t want to be heard or seen fully – those deepest parts of me.

No one would possibly want me then – there are too many cracks, missing pieces, and stains for this broken vase to be anything of worth.

And yet.

Not only do You know the darkest parts of me… You allowed those circumstances in my life which I allowed to breed hatred, distrust, and fear. Parts of my heart have been ransacked, ravaged – I have not yet been restored. The parts of my past which cling to my soul like bastard barnacles affect my present and seek to steal precious joy and life from within me.

I know this must be because I haven’t fully allowed you in, I haven’t allowed you to purify and cleanse me.

Can I bravely and honestly pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” ?